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Throughout the 1990s, online education evolved from basic corporate computer-based training programs to be embraced by colleges and universities across the globe. As technology continues to advance, so does the nature of online education.

Online education is a form of distance learning that emphasizes the use of a personal computer. Students take courses via the Internet and utilize a variety of audio and video technologies to enhance their electronic communication with instructors. Of course, there are some hybrid education courses that allow students to complete a portion of their work online, but also require in-class sessions.

A report conducted at the No Child Left behind Leadership Summit calls online learning “a 21st Century education.” There are a variety of benefits both students and educators receive from participating in online courses and programs.

1. Make the Facts RealIt is one of the cases of redundancy in disguise. Facts are already real, but simply memorizing information is very boring and less likely to stick in students mind. Making the facts real by using real world examples can demonstrate how subjects like math and science are important and exciting outside of the classroom.

2. Encourage a Multimodal Approach to LearningIt means allowing a student to experience different ways of interacting with technology.Multimodalinteractions are a form of human-machine communication that uses multiple modes of input and output. Most laptops and tablets feature video recording, cameras, and styluses, which make learning more hands-on.

3. Let them own TechnologyGiving students their own technology, real or pretend, opens up opportunities for students to really take ownership of their own educations and to be a part of the process. Online courses offer educational resources in multiple media formats. They support the use of both asynchronous communication (e.g. email, threaded discussion boards, and newsgroups) and real time communication (e.g. chat rooms, webcasting, and audio/video technology) among teachers and students. Asynchronous discourse is thought to inspire self-reflection among learners, which online technology hope will help their students engage in deeper learning.

4. Make Self-Paced Learning EasyEveryone learns at their own pace and in their own way. Some students need more structured assignments and projects, while others do best when their creative energy is set free. Technology allows parents to provide the right amount of individualized discipline and support, and to make changes when necessary.

5. Make Technology SafeThe interesting thing about students is that when left on their own, they can independently explore, discover, and make learning more exciting for themselves. However, teaching them about Internet safety early will prepare them to make their own decisions about Internet usage in the future. It’s important to warn about predators, inappropriate material, and mature content, but hovering over them to ensure they are safe will only stifle them. That’s where parental controls come in handy.

Finally, according to a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, students who receive a combination of online and face-to-face instruction performed the best. Combining these findings with all of the above stated benefits, online education has a persuasive argument for being an effective educational method for a variety of students.